“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
Life can be quite scary, Amen? We are cruising along, with the grand illusion that we have everything under control and then - all of a sudden - out of nowhere - life throws us a curveball (perhaps even two or three) and we start to sink like the Titanic. Fear rushes in faster than the water on that sinking boat and we are left breathless and not in a good way. Look up – not out or in, but up. He is there waiting to lead and guide us through this terrifying season – yes, even this - and the cherry on top – if you will – is the amazing addition of His perfect peace. He desires for His children to walk through these season going from “strength to strength” coupled with the continual peace that passes all human understanding guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It’s simply other worldly.
Peter is our perfect example here. He and the other disciples are at sea and were being buffeted by the waves a considerable distance from land. Jesus went out to meet them, walking on water no less. When they saw Him they all became terrified thinking it was a ghost. Jesus immediately called out “Take courage it is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter replied, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” “‘Come,’ He said.” Peter gets out of the boat and begins walking on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the winds and the waves he was afraid and began to sink. Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him saying “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When our focus remains on our circumstances we will be fearful of all the “wind and waves” surrounding us. Yet, when our eyes are fixed on sweet Jesus – the One in control of the winds and the waves - we can rest secure in Him.
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)